| Don't make any travel plans until you read this! | | | | Have you ever entered the exact same search on 3 |
| Especially when we're experiencing one of the worst | | | | different travel websites and gotten wide-ranging |
| global recessions that we've seen in decades, every | | | | results? That's because travel websites have special |
| dollar counts. And because travel is so expensive, | | | | arrangements with certain "partners" and may give |
| many of us turn to well-known discount travel Web | | | | these partners preferential treatment or placement |
| sites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia. | | | | bias. That's how they make money. Consumers, |
| When you book on these sites you think you're getting | | | | however, are catching on. According to Travel |
| the lowest prices available, right? | | | | Weekly, bookings on the "Big 3" have fallen over 10% |
| Wrong! | | | | this year. People are turning to airline and hotel |
| Why You Might Not Get the Best Deal When Booking | | | | websites directly because that's where they're finding |
| Your Trip with Most Discount Travel Websites | | | | the lowest fares. |
| In reality, you may actually be getting higher priced | | | | 4. A confused customer is their best customer. In the |
| offers from airlines and hotels that are affiliated with | | | | last 12 months we've seen a spate of new surcharges |
| the discount travel website you use to book your trip. | | | | assessed by airlines to offset rising costs—from $5 |
| Additionally, you're doing all the work to research flights | | | | for some aisle seats to $15 for the first piece of |
| and hotels, yet the travel sites are still earning their full | | | | checked luggage. Unfortunately, these costs are not |
| agency commissions. | | | | reflected in the search results of most airfare |
| And that's just the tip of the iceberg. | | | | comparison sites. Consumers are left to do the |
| Here Are 5 Travel Secrets Orbitz, Travelocity & | | | | research and the math on their own. As a result, |
| Expedia Don't Want You to Know | | | | they're confused. What looks to be the lowest price |
| 1. They charge service fees on every booking. | | | | may not actually be the lowest "total" price when all |
| Sometimes that fee is disclosed in the "final price" listed | | | | applicable fees are factored in. |
| online. Sometimes it's buried in the Terms & | | | | 5. Once you hit that SEND button, you're on your own. |
| Conditions. Need to change your plans? Be prepared | | | | What happens when you book online and your flight is |
| to pay service fees of up to $30 on every phone call | | | | delayed or cancelled, or if you miss a connection? |
| for a change or re-issue. This does NOT count the | | | | Ever tried to get a human being on the phone? You |
| $75 - $150 airline penalty. These travel websites | | | | may be on hold for a long, long time. Or when you do |
| actually hope for bad weather, because bad weather | | | | finally get someone on the line, you find out he's in |
| means altered plans, which means extra revenue for | | | | Bangalore (and English isn't his first language). |
| them. | | | | Meanwhile, the last seat on the last flight out has just |
| 2. The rate you see may not be the lowest rate | | | | taken off. Travel has become more unpredictable than |
| available. That's because large travel websites deal in | | | | ever. Sadly, it's not a question of if something will go |
| bulk volume. As a result they concentrate on "national" | | | | wrong, but when. And when it does, do you want your |
| and "public" rates. They don't publish "private" fares, | | | | fate to rest in the hands of the guy whose job it is to |
| consolidator fares, or below-market fares because it's | | | | get you off the phone as fast as possible? |
| not in their interest to do so. You can only get those | | | | This article may seem harsh. But Travelocity, Orbitz |
| fares from an experienced travel professional, who | | | | and Expedia are keeping these secrets from you. And, |
| knows the system and where to find them. | | | | you have to know these dirty little travel secrets if you |
| 3. Their definition of lowest price may not match yours. | | | | want to hold onto more of your cash. |